Apicoectomy

For most patients with an infection of the nerves or roots of the teeth, a root canal procedure is enough to get rid of the infected tissue and help save the tooth from extraction. But in some cases, it does not solve the problem, in which a procedure called an apicoectomy is needed.

At Radiance Dental, we provide the apicoectomy procedure for patients who are still experiencing difficulties with their teeth after the root canal procedure is complete. The procedure removes infected tissue while still saving the tooth structure.

We perform the following steps when providing an apicoectomy:

1. X-rays are taken during the consultation to be sure an apicoectomy is needed.

2. The procedure begins by giving patients anesthesia to numb the area.

3. We make a small incision in the gum, lifting it away from the tooth.

4. A drill is used to get access to the root of the tooth, where the infected tissue can be removed.

5. We look for cracks in the tooth to decide if the tooth needs to be extracted.

6. The tooth canal is cleaned and sealed, followed by sutures if needed.

This procedure is very similar to a root canal, with about the same healing and recovery time. Call us at Radiance Dental in Vancouver, WA or call 360-369-6420 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sanjeev Sharma.

 

 

Bone Grafting

Dental implants are often provided to people who have missing teeth and are hoping to find a more permanent natural solution. However, implants must have a sufficient amount of jaw bone available for the implants to be placed securely. With some patients this isn’t always the case. If a patient has missing teeth, over a period of time they can experience atrophy of the jawbone.   This makes it difficult for the implant procedure to work properly without intervention.

Today, we have the ability to grow bone through a bone grafting procedure. Bone grafting helps Dr. Sanjeev Sharma grow enough bone at the implant site for placing the titanium post and completing a successful dental implant procedure.

At Radiance Dental, we offer minor and major bone grafting depending on how much bone will need to be grafted. Some patients can get minor bone grafting that helps increase how much bone is present. Others require major bone grafting if they have more significant loss of the jawbone. 

Patients who are in need of implants but don’t have enough bone to install the implant post have a great option in bone grafting when they come to our clinic. If you are in the Vancouver, WA area, call us at 360-369-6420 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sanjeev Sharma to discuss your bone grafting and dental implant needs. We offer free dental implant consultations.

Periodontal Disease

If left undiagnosed and untreated, periodontal disease can do some serious, irreversible damage to your smile.  Periodontal disease can also compromise your overall health, making you more susceptible to infections, malnutrition and other serious complications.  At Radiance Dental, we’re committed to educating our patients on the risks of periodontal disease and what they can do to prevent its harmful effects.

One of the best ways to stop periodontal disease before it starts is to practice diligent oral hygiene. This includes daily brushing and flossing, maintaining a sensible healthy diet, reducing sugar, alcohol and tobacco, and staying current with regular dental checkups.

It’s also important to be on the lookout for any warning signs that could indicate the early stages of periodontal disease, these include:

• Bleeding of the gums during or after brushing and flossing.
• Redness, swelling, soreness and discomfort that affect your gums on a regular basis.
• Gum recession and exposed portions of the tooth root
• Bad breath or a foul taste regardless of what you’ve recently eaten or even after you’ve brushed and rinsed.
• Loose or easily moveable teeth.
• Changes in bite alignment or the stability of prosthetic dental work

If you notice any of the above symptoms, please contact us at Radiance Dental promptly and arrange a consultation with Dr. Sanjeev Sharma.  We have appointments available to meet your scheduling needs.  Call 360-369-6420 today!

Wisdom Teeth

Not everyone gets their wisdom teeth, but many of our patients see them emerge. Wisdom teeth come in after the last set of molars, near the back of the mouth. They typically appear when patients are in their late teens or early to mid-twenties.

In some cases, wisdom teeth don’t cause a problem, but others need to have them removed. Because wisdom teeth are so far in the back, they are harder to clean and prone to more decay. This can lead to infection and other problems. They might also grow in crooked, pushing against the other teeth causing discomfort and overcrowding.

If the wisdom teeth are pushing against the other teeth causing shifting, pain, or become impacted, we recommend getting them extracted. This is often done under anesthesia so the patient does not feel any pain. It is a routine procedure, but one that needs to be completed by an experienced dentist such as Dr. Sanjeev Sharma or an oral surgeon.

If you have wisdom teeth, call our office in Vancouver, WA at (360) 369-6420 to schedule your comprehensive dental exam and x-rays to determine if they need to be extracted. We are welcoming new patients for wisdom tooth extractions and other dental services.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a frustrating condition for many sufferers.  In addition to nightly snoring, sleep apnea can also increase your risk of developing other serious health problems.  High blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, daily fatigue, drowsiness, and liver problems can all develop or worsen as a result of sleep apnea.

 

Fortunately, there are ways to treat sleep apnea at our practice.  While CPAP is commonly used as an effective sleep apnea treatment, many find the device to be uncomfortable.  We offer custom oral appliances as an alternative treatment, preventing respiratory obstruction and ensuring oxygen flow throughout the night.  Many of our patients have found oral appliances to be a more comfortable and convenient sleep apnea treatment.

 

If you or someone you know may be suffering from sleep apnea, contact our Vancouver, WA practice for more information on how to protect your health and request a free consultation today.

Dental Implants

If you’re considering dental implants for your smile restoration, you’re making a smart choice. As a tooth prosthetic, dental implants provide a unique set of benefits over other smile restorative options.  While bridges, partial and full dentures are all reliable options for smile restoration, dental implants deliver a real look, feel and longevity unlike no other.

 

When weighing the advantages of dental implants over other dental reconstructive options, consider the following:

• If you are an adult, your age alone won’t restrict you from dental implants.  From teens to seniors, dental implants have been successfully used to replace a missing tooth or teeth.
• They can be used in both your top and bottom jaw, at multiple sites and can even be used to restore your entire smile.
• Other healthy teeth do not need to be modified or disturbed for your implant placement.  There’s no need for wires, external framework, adhesives or support that affect neighboring tooth.
• Dental implants look and feel natural.  They will not affect your speech, eating and appearance.
• With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime and do not require replacement or adjustment.
• Dental implants require no additional maintenance beyond brushing, flossing and regular periodontal care.
• Because of their placement that’s similar to the natural root of the tooth, dental implants reduce bone loss and prevent atrophy of the jawbone.

While these advantages sound ideal for just about anyone in need of a replacement tooth, the very best way to determine if dental implants will be the most successful option for your smile restoration is to arrange a free dental implant consultation with us at Radiance Dental in Vancouver, WA.

TMJ Disorders and Their Treatment

Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is what connects your lower jaw to your skull, and it is susceptible to temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which has symptoms that range from teeth grinding and trouble chewing to headaches and pain when opening or closing your mouth. Causing both pain and damage to your teeth, TMD should not be ignored. If you’re experiencing pain or trouble chewing, Dr. Geetika Chawla can treat your disorder and help alleviate your pain at our office in Vancouver, WA.  

 

The disorder is often associated with stress and the unconscious clenching of the jaw or grinding of the teeth. After time, these activities can cause pain, lock jaw, headaches or ear pain and popping or clicking sounds when opening your mouth.

 

Teeth grinding is an especially worrisome activity associated with TMD because it can lead to more than just problems with your TMJ. If grinding is not addressed, the enamel of your teeth may wear to the point that your dentin is exposed, increasing sensitivity to heat, cold and decay.

 

Dr. Chawla can work with you to relieve your symptoms at Radiance Dental with pain relievers, hot and cold compresses and night guards to cut down on grinding. While surgery can be required in more severe cases, usually changing the way you use your jaw muscles is enough.

To schedule an appointment, call (360) 369-6420. For more information, visitwww.radiancedentalnw.com. 

Full Mouth Fixed Bridge

At Radiance Dental, we offer a multitude of ways for our patients to restore their smiles, from implants to dentures to bridges. The full mouth fixed bridge is a restorative option chosen by many of our patients in Vancouver, WA to replace an entire row of missing teeth. Full mouth bridges are fixed over dental implants—usually six to eight—and are not removable, offering patients the peace of mind of knowing their bridge will not come out at an inconvenient time.

 

While a convenient and popular option among patients who are missing multiple teeth, fixed bridges are not suitable for all patients. Patients must have enough bone mass and gum tissue in their mouths to support the arch. If they do, then the full mouth fixed bridge offers a natural-looking way to complete their smiles.

 

If you are interested in receiving a full mouth fixed bridge, schedule an appointment with Dr. Geetika Chawla to determine if you would be a good candidate. Dr. Chawla also performs soft tissue grafting and bone grafting if needed for dental implant placement. These procedures are usually performed months before dental implant placement to allow for healing.

 

Call (360) 369-6420 to schedule an appointment. For more information on Dr. Chawla, our practice or our services, visit www.radiancedentalnw.com. 

Sedation Dentistry

Do you dread going to the dentist? If the thought of receiving dental work fills you with more anxiety than the pain or fear of dental problems, we can help at Radiance Dental in Vancouver, WA. By offering sedation dentistry, Dr. Geetika Chawla can take care of all the work you’ve been putting off in one or two comfortable visits.

 

At our office, you can avoid the stress that typically accompanies trips to the dentist and receive the best dental care possible in a safe environment. Whether you have a phobia or anxiety, there are several types of sedation dentistry available to you. These options include oral sedation, such as through anxiolysis or nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and intravenous sedation, which delivers a combination of drugs into the blood stream. The type of sedation used depends on the preferences and needs of the patient. 

 

Intravenous sedation is administered through the veins, which allows for sedation to happen more quickly and with less recovery time afterward than typical oral sedation. This type of sedation is recommended for those with moderate or severe anxiety. While this method has stronger effects than oral sedation, it will not put you to sleep but rather keep you in a deep state of relaxation.

Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is another form of sedation that works rapidly. For this method, Dr. Chawla places a small mask over your nose and asks you to breathe normally. Within minutes, you will feel its relaxing effects. N2O is another popular option because it doesn’t require needles and wears off quickly with no hangover effect.

 

The anxiolysis method is as simple as taking an aspirin, utilizing an oral sedative, such as valium to relax the patient. Since it is not as powerful as the other methods, it is recommended mostly for those with mild to moderate anxiety.

 

Radiance Dental wants all our patients to be comfortable, and sedation dentistry is just one of the methods we use to do so. Call (360) 369-6420 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visitwww.radiancedentalnw.com. 

Emergency Dentistry

While tooth decay is the most common cause of toothaches in both children and adults, infections, gum disease, teeth grinding and an abnormal bite can also cause pain in your teeth. If you have experienced facial trauma, pain in your teeth for more than two days or swelling and abnormally red gums, it is important to get a complete oral examination to determine the cause. This pain would be considered a dental emergency, and Dr. Geetika Chawla of Radiance Dental can help to restore your oral health.

 

Pain in your teeth can arise for a variety of reasons, and you might not always know why. Sometimes pain can come on suddenly if pieces of food come in contact with a decayed area of your tooth or if heat or cold create pressure near your nerve. If you lose a filling or crown, this can expose your nerve and cause pain as well.

 

If your tooth pain worsens over time, you may have food that is stuck between you tooth and gum. This can occur if you do not brush and floss well enough, allowing bacteria to multiply in this area and for infection to develop. This infection can become an abscess, which can develop at the root of the tooth in the bone or in the gums. If not treated, it can be incredibly painful and harmful to your health. If your tooth pain is accompanied by a bad smell or taste, it is very likely an abscess.

 

Dr. Chawla can also provide emergency dental care if you’ve experienced facial trauma. Whether your tooth is loose, cracked or broken, you can come to our office to receive emergency restorative care.

If a tooth is giving your trouble, we can provide you with the care you need to recover in Vancouver, WA. Call (360) 369-6420 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.radiancedentalnw.com. 

Do You Have Sensitive Teeth?

If you’ve felt the telltale pain of sensitive teeth, you know how much it can impact your life, making activities, such as brushing, flossing, eating and drinking, difficult. The most common causes of this sharp, temporary pain include worn down tooth enamel or exposed tooth roots. However, in some cases, discomfort can be caused by cavities, cracks and chips, or it can be a side effect of a dental procedure, such as whitening.

If you’re concerned about your tooth sensitivity, you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Geetika Chawla at our office in Vancouver, WA to identify the underlying cause of your pain. Depending on your circumstance, we can recommend a variety of actions, such as desensitizing toothpaste, fluoride, sealants or a root canal.

Once your sensitivity has been neutralized, there are several steps you can take to prevent it from recurring:

• Brush your teeth twice a day
• Use a soft-bristled tooth brush
• Use toothpaste with fluoride
• Floss daily
• Avoid vigorous scrubbing and excessive brushing
• Wear a mouthguard if you grind your teeth

You might also want to consider your diet. Acidic food and drinks, such as sodas, citrus fruits, wine and yogurt, can all remove tooth enamel. To minimize damage, you can try drinking with a straw to limit the liquid’s contact with your teeth, as well as drinking milk or water after consumption to balance the acid levels in your mouth. You should also never brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking these substances, since you can actually brush away your softened enamel.

To schedule an appointment at Radiance Dental, call (360) 369-6420. For more information, visit www.RadianceDentalNW.com.

Whitening Your Teeth with ZOOM! and BriteSmile

Keeping your teeth white can be a lot harder than you might think. Even with diligent brushing, flossing and dental cleanings, teeth can still lose their gleam and darken over time due to constant exposure to food and drinks. If you’ve noticed your teeth are yellowing or dull, we offer ZOOM! whitening services and BriteSmile to help you restore your teeth’s color and luster. It is one of the many cosmetic procedures Dr. Geetika Chawla offer to help you achieve a smile you will be happy to show off in Camas, WA.

To help patients get their whitest smiles, we employs the ZOOM! whitening system or BriteSmile, which are chair-side whitening procedure that is done in the dentist’s office, using a safe whitening gel combined with low-intensity light. The light activates the hydrogen peroxide in the gel, which can lighten your teeth up to 10 shades in only an hour! Unlike other whitening systems that involve multiple sessions and take-home trays, ZOOM! and BriteSmile produce results that are both drastic and quick.

For the best results, patients should have their teeth cleaned prior to the whitening procedures since tartar and plaque can prevent the whitening gel from working in certain areas. By having your teeth cleaned, you are ensuing that you get an even, white smile.

To schedule an appointment with Radiance Dental, call (360) 369-6420. For more information, visit www.RadianceDentalNW.com.

Sedation Dentistry

If just the thought of going to the dentist for a procedure brings on fear and anxiety, sedation dentistry is probably the right choice for you. Between 5 and 8 percent of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to dental phobia, but you don’t need to let your oral health suffer because of fear. At our office in Vancouver, WA, we offer a safe environment where we can comfort anxious patients through various sedation methods.

Sedation is mainly used when a patient has a high level of anxiety or dental phobia, not because of pain. At Radiance Dental, we can sedate our patients through intravenous sedation or a general anesthesia. These methods will make sure you can tend to your oral health while avoiding the anxiety that accompanies visiting the dentist.

IV administration is becoming a popular sedation option for many dentists. This type of sedation is administered through the veins, which allows for quicker effects and less recovery time than oral methods. Recommended for moderate to severe anxiety, intravenous sedation will put you in a deep state of relaxation while still conscious.

For severe cases, general anesthesia can be used. This method allows the patient to have dental procedures performed while in an unconscious state. You will be put in a light state of sedation before your procedure, and when you wake up, Dr. Geetika Chawla will have completed your treatment. This method is completely safe.

To schedule an appointment with Radiance Dental, call (360) 369-6420. For more information, visit www.RadianceDentalNW.com.

Dental Implants

If you have teeth missing or are in need of an extraction due to decay, disease or injury, dental implants provide an attractive and long-lasting solution for filling the gaps in your smile. While bridges and dentures can also solve the problem of missing teeth, these alternatives either require alteration to the teeth adjacent to the gap or are not permanent fixtures in the mouth. At our office in Vancouver, WA, Dr. Geetika Chawla uses dental implant restorations to help you achieve a complete smile that you can be proud of.

The implant process can take between three to six months to complete, and the first step is to implant a titanium screw in the jawbone through an incision in the gums. This screw serves as your replacement tooth root and keeps your jaw from deteriorating or changing shape. Once the screw is in place, the gums are sutured and the bone is left to heal around the implant. The healing process is called osseointegration, and while it takes place over the next several months, you may receive a temporary crown for easier speaking and eating.

Once the jaw has healed, an abutment will be placed on top of the implant to serve as the foundation on which your permanent crown will be fixed. The tooth restoration is then custom made for your mouth and is either screwed or cemented in place so that you may enjoy a complete smile that both looks and feels natural.

To schedule an appointment at Radiance Dental, call (360) 369-6420. For more information, visit www.RadianceDentalNW.com.

What to do about Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that affects the way you breathe while sleeping, causing your breath to become interrupted for 10 to 20 seconds at a time and jolting you out of your natural sleep rhythm multiple times a night. As a result, your energy, mental acuity and productivity can suffer. Over time, sleep apnea can even lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and weight gain.

At Radiance Dental, instead of using the CPAP, we use the Elastic Mandibular Advancement (EMA) appliance to non-invasively treat snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The EMA appliance fits over the patient’s teeth and is designed to both advance the mandible (lower jaw) forward and to open the patient’s bite to allow for less restricted airflow during sleep. By increasing airflow and preventing snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea, the appliance promotes deeper and more restful sleep, and because it doesn’t interfere with breathing through the mouth, you can still use the appliance safely with congested nasal passages.

If you believe you have sleep apnea, call (360) 369-6420 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Geetika Chawla. For more information about the Camas, WA dentist, visit www.RadianceDentalNW.com.

A Healthy Smile is a Beautiful Smile

Regular checkups and dental cleanings are a part of any good oral hygiene routine, and at Radiance Dental we provide dental care services of the highest quality to ensure that our patients’ smiles stay healthy year after year.

A soft and sticky film of bacteria, plaque can build up on your teeth despite regular brushing and flossing. Because teeth are constantly bathed in saliva, which contains calcium and other substances to strengthen and protect teeth, tartar or calcium deposits can also build up over time. Dental cleanings work to remove both plaque and tartar from the teeth. If it is not removed and is allowed to accumulate, bacteria will be provided a perfect environment and thrive on the gums and teeth, which can cause cavities, infection and gum disease.

While good for maintaining oral health between dentist visits, at-home brushing and cleaning are not enough to make sure teeth stay clean; regular dental cleanings are required. We will clean and polish your teeth, leaving the surface clean and smooth. The smoother the teeth, the more difficult it is for bacteria to stick to them and the more effective at-home brushing will be.

We recommend checkups and dental cleanings every six months for optimum oral health. To schedule an appointment in Camas, WA, call (360) 369-6420. For more information, visit www.RadianceDentalNW.com.

Suffering from TMJ Disorder

TMJ is an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects your mandible (lower jaw) to your skull at the temporal bone. While many call disorders associated with this joint, TMJ, those disorder are more appropriately called TMD (temporomandibular disorder), and TMD can have symptoms that range from teeth grinding and headaches to trouble chewing and pain when opening and closing your mouth. TMD not only an annoying disorder; it is also a destructive one and can cause serious damage to your teeth if left untreated. Here at Radiance Dental, Dr. Geetika Chawla can determine if you suffer from TMD and offer ways to treat the disorder.

The TMJ controls an assortment of jaw functions, including chewing, so if you’re chewing muscles or the joint itself is in pain, it is possible that you have TMD. TMD is often caused by stress, which leads to unconscious clenching and teeth grinding while awake and asleep. TMD’s symptoms include pain, trouble chewing, lock jaw, headaches or ear pain and a popping or clicking sound when opening your mouth. However, these symptoms may be indicative of other health problems as well, so it is important to see a medical professional for a diagnosis.

Grinding your teeth is an especially worrisome TMD-associated behavior since it can lead to further problems with your mouth. If your teeth grinding is left unaddressed, you will cause serious wear to the enamel of your teeth and expose the dentin, which will make your teeth more sensitive to heat and cold and more susceptible to decay. However, you can work with Dr. Chawla to relieve symptoms with mouthguards or nightguards.

If you think that you might be suffering from TMD or teeth grinding in Camas, WA, schedule an appointment with our office by calling (360) 369-6420. For more information, visit www.RadianceDentalNW.com.

Transform Your Smile with Veneers

If you’re unhappy with the way your teeth look, veneers are an effective method for reshaping and redesigning your smile. Whether your teeth have gaps, stain, cracks, chips or other issues, you can get the smile you’ve always wanted with veneers. Veneers are thin, ceramic shells that cover the existing tooth structure in your mouth, and Dr. Geetika Chawla can use them to give you the smile you’ve always wanted.

Having veneers placed usually only takes two to three visits. During the first visit, you can discuss the shape and look of the smile you want to accomplish with the doctor, and then your teeth will be prepared. Dr. Chawla will prepare your teeth for veneers by removing a small amount of enamel to ensure a secure and natural-feeling bond.

Once the enamel has been removed, the teeth are covered in a fine powder. A 3D image is then captured by a digital camera and rendered on a computer so that the dentist may design the veneers. Once a CEREC machine fabricates the restoration, the veneers will be bonded to your teeth to create an attractive smile that looks and feels natural.  

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Geetika Chawla at Radiance Dental in Camas, WA, call (360) 369-6420. For more information, visitwww.RadianceDentalNW.com.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions

At Radiance Dental in Camas, WA wisdom teeth extractions are fairly common. As your third and final set of molars to come in, they usually emerge when you are between 17 and 21 years old. Since these teeth can often become impacted, which is when they come in at an angle rather than straight through the gums, it is often necessary to remove them before they cause pain or begin to push your other teeth.

If a wisdom tooth is impacted and can only emerge partially, it is possible for an operculum to develop over the tooth. This flap of skip can make the tooth hard to clean, which means it is more likely to become infected. This infection is called pericoronitis.

When a wisdom tooth is in danger of causing such problems, Dr. Geetika Chawla will extract the tooth. Often it is necessary to remove all four wisdom teeth at once. This is done either by using a local anesthetic or a general anesthetic, based on the preferences of the doctor and patient. After the anesthetic is applied, the gum tissue around the wisdom tooth is cut and the tooth is wiggled loose and pulled out. If necessary, the gums will be sutured for healing.

After the surgery, rest is required, and you will need to change the gauze that is applied to the incision. To see if you need to be removed, schedule an appointment with us by calling (360) 369-6420. For more information, visitwww.RadianceDentalNW.com.

CEREC Technology

CEREC

If your teeth are chipped, cracked or decayed and you’re looking to restore their beauty and strength, CEREC is an advanced dental technology that we use here at Radiance Dental to create full crowns, inlays, onlays and veneers. Offering a variety of benefits, including speed and strength, CEREC restorations give our practice a way to offer superior service to our patients.

 

Made of compressed porcelain, CEREC restorations are stronger than laboratory produced restorations that are made only of layered porcelain. In addition to being stronger and longer-wearing, CEREC restorations can also be accomplished in only one visit, putting them above laboratory restorations, which can take weeks. With CEREC technology, we can have your crown, veneer, inlay or onlay created and installed in one visit. No uncomfortable impression material necessary!

 

The procedure for placing a CEREC restoration is easy. First, all decay is removed from your tooth. Then the doctor shapes the tooth for placement and sprays it with a very fine powder. This helps prepare the tooth for a digital picture. The picture allows the computer to create a 3D model of the structure for designing the restoration. Once the design is complete, the CEREC machine will create the restoration, whether it is a crown, veneers, an inlay or onlay. The actual creation step only takes about 15 minutes. Then it can be fixed to your tooth!

 

We can fit you with a new, strong tooth restoration in under an hour! Schedule an appointment by calling (360) 369-6420. For more information, visitwww.RadianceDentalNW.com.

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer screenings are an important part of maintaining oral health. Because people without traditional risk factors associated with oral cancer are experiencing an increase in occurrences, screenings should be a necessary part of your regular dental visit no matter what. At Radiance Dental, we take oral cancer seriously and are dedicated to keeping our patients safe.

 

While everybody is at risk for oral cancer, certain factors can increase your risk in developing the disease. Lifestyle choices, such as heavy drinking or smoking, can greatly affect the health of tissues in the mouth, so it is imperative for you to receive regular screenings if you partake in these activities. However, everyone should be screened no matter their lifestyle.

 

Screening for oral cancer is done during routine checkups by Dr. Geetika Chawla. The screening includes looking for lesions, leukoplakia, which is a white patch of cells, and erythroplakia, which is a red patch of cells. These lesions can often become cancerous, so it is important to find them early. Dr. Chawla will look for abnormal tissue in these lesions through several different procedures. Such procedures include stains that highlight abnormal cells and cell collection that allows the cells to be viewed under a microscope.

 

Schedule an appointment with us in Camas, WA by calling (360) 369-6420. For more information, visit www.RadianceDentalNW.com. 

Dental Crowns

Dental Crowns

Crowns are used to protect and strengthen teeth that are badly decayed or fractured. By covering your tooth and restoring it to its original shape and size, crowns (or caps) reduce your pain, save your tooth from needing to be removed and keep your smile functional and attractive. At Radiance Dental, we can see if a crown is necessary to save your smile.

 

Crowns are usually only necessary if decay has reached the point where your tooth structure is compromised. When a crown is installed, the decay is removed from your tooth and a core build-up is applied to insulate the nerve and create a surface for bonding the crown to. An impression is taken of the remaining tooth, and a crown is fabricated. Once the crown has been created, it is cemented to your tooth.

 

Made incredibly strong for protecting the remaining tooth, the crown is custom fitted to ensure that the seam between the tooth and crown is miniscule to protect it from further decay.

 

If you’re experiencing decay and pain in one of your teeth, stop by our office to see if a crown can save your smile. Schedule an appointment with Radiance Dental in Camas, WA by calling (360) 369-6420. For more information, visitwww.RadianceDentalNW.com. 

Night Guards

If you or your sleep partner is suffering from teeth grinding, you know how it can interfere with getting a good night’s rest. At Radiance Dental Snore and Sleep Center, we offer solutions for teeth grinding.

 

Teeth grinding involves clenching the jaw and gnashing the teeth unconsciously during sleep. The exact cause of teeth grinding is not known, but it is very common and occurs in both children and adults. It some instances, grinding the teeth can lead to damaged teeth, jaw pain and headaches.

We offer custom fit night guards in order to treat teeth grinding. The night guard acts as a barrier between your top and bottom teeth, which prevents grinding and gnashing of your teeth.

 

The process of making a night guard is easy. We start by taking an impression of your teeth, and the guard is then made in a dental lab. Since your night guard is made specifically for you, it fits comfortably and allows you to breathe normally.

 

In addition to night guards, we offer a variety of services including periodontal treatment, bonding, extractions, TMJ treatment and other services. For more information on teeth grinding treatment or in order to have a night guard made, please call Radiance Dental Snore and Sleep Center, at 360-369-6420.

Lumineers

Porcelain veneers are one of the top ways to improve your smile by covering imperfections of your teeth with thin pieces of porcelain. At Radiance Dental, we offer a new type of veneers called Lumineers. These are similar to traditional veneers, except they are made of even thinner pieces of porcelain, so patients don’t need to worry about filing down their natural teeth too far in order to make room for the porcelain. To put it in perspective, Lumineers are about as thin as contact lenses.

 

Patients achieve many benefits by choosing Lumineers, such as:

• Not having to lose as much of their tooth surface since the porcelain is thinner.
• Paying less for Lumineers than traditional veneers.
• Having a natural-looking procedure due to the thinner design.
• Getting a new smile with a minimally-invasive procedure.
• Improving staining, spacing issues, chips, and worn down and misaligned teeth.

Lumineers are applied through a simple process, beginning with preparing and taking impressions of the teeth to bonding the fabricated material to the teeth. After the bonding material dries, the Lumineers are polished and the process is complete.

 

Visit Dr. Geetika Chawla in our practice in Camas, WA or call 360-369-6420 to schedule an appointment for Lumineers.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays

If you have heard someone use the term partial crown, they are talking about inlays and onlays, which our dentist Dr. Geetika Chawla provides. Inlays and onlays are a dental procedure performed to strengthen a tooth and prevent damage if it is weakened and at risk of breaking. It is a less invasive procedure than covering a tooth with a crown completely. An inlay is used when there is a damage and it must be placed partially inside the tooth, while an onlay goes right on top of a tooth that doesn’t have as much damage to the cusps of the tooth.

 

Before placing inlays and onlays, we must first remove any decayed portions of the tooth. Then, an impression is made and sent to a lab where the inlay or onlay is made. In approximately 2-3 weeks, the restoration is complete and can be bonded to the tooth. We do this with a very strong cement for a stable hold. Inlays and onlays last about the same time as crowns, which is approximately 10-15 years. The better a patient takes care of their teeth, the longer it lasts.

 

To learn more about getting inlays and onlays from Radiance Dental, call us at 360-369-6420.

Extraction Site Preservation

Extraction Site Preservation

When extracting a tooth, there is a risk of bone degeneration and loss if there isn’t a treatment plan in place for replacing it as soon as possible. At Radiance Dental, we provide extraction site preservation, which makes sure our patients have the smoothest extraction procedure possible, followed by a viable option for replacing it. It also ensures that there isn’t damage during the extraction procedure, which is even more important when removing wisdom teeth.

 

If a patient gets a tooth removed without a plan through extraction site preservation, they risk the jawbone degenerating and their teeth shifting. This can cause misaligned teeth, chewing, and bite issues later on. Extraction site preservation helps our patients avoid more complex procedures, such as ridge augmentation, later on.

 

We provide options for replacing the tooth, such as a dental bridge, partial denture, or dental implants after extraction. It is important that we begin the tooth replacement procedure before the teeth begin shifting, when it can become more difficult. In many cases, we can make an impression of the tooth before pulling it, so that the abutment tooth when replacing it is identical.

 

Visit Dr. Geetika Chawla in Camas, WA to talk more about extraction site preservation prior to having a tooth removed.

Waterlase

Although going to the dentist, may not rate as one of your favorite activities, it is essential in order to maintain good health. At Radiance Dental, we want to make a trip to the dentist as easy as possible. That’s why we utilize the latest technologies, including Waterlase.

 

Waterlase is a laser that combines laser energy and water. It is used to perform a variety of dental treatments and procedures easier and more comfortably than a conventional dental drill. Both the gums and the tooth can be cut using the Waterlase. Procedures that once required drilling and anesthesia may now be performed using this new laser technology.

 

In the past, when you had a dental procedure performed using a dental drill, pain due to the drill’s vibration, heat and pressure may have occurred. The Waterlase does not produce heat, vibration or pressure. Less anesthesia is often needed, which means you won’t have to worry about numb lips when you leave our office.

 

The Waterlase is also more accurate than using a convention dental drill. It can remove bone and enamel more precisely than a drill and without trauma to healthy tissue. There is also often less bleeding and swelling to the mouth.

 

Our team at Radiance Dental prides themselves with providing you with the most modern advances in dentistry and personal attention. We provide exceptional customer service in a state of the art facility.

 

For more information on the Waterlase or in order to schedule an appointment, please call Radiance Dental at 360-369-6420.

Digital X-Ray

In many instances, x-rays are needed to confirm a diagnosis. X-rays may also be a standard part of an annual dental exam to determine if any problem exists. At Radiance Dental, we offer the latest technology to make the x-ray process safer, easier and more efficient. We are happy to offer our patients digital x-rays.

 

Pictures of the gums, teeth and jaw, can be taken using digital x-rays. The images are taken by using an electrical sensor, which is placed in the mouth. The procedure is fast and comfortable. The pictures are then processed through an imaging computer program, and can be displayed on a screen for you to view.

 

Digital x-rays are considered advantageous over using traditional dental x-rays for many reasons. The digital x-rays can be enlarged in order to get detailed images of a problem area. They also often provide clearer and more accurate images of a person’s mouth than conventional x-rays. This helps us identify problem areas sooner and prevent complications from developing.

 

An added benefit of using digital x-rays instead of conventional x-rays is less radiation exposure. Digital x-rays are believed to reduce your exposure to radiation by about 80 percent compared with conventional dental x-rays.

 

Our team at Radiance Dental is committed to providing you with excellent customer service and the latest technology. We offer a variety of dental services including periodontics, endodontics and cosmetic dentistry.

 

For more information on digital x-rays or in order to schedule an appointment, please call Radiance Dental at 360-369-6420.

Dental Hygiene & Periodontal Health

Periodontal disease can lead to a variety of problems including tooth loss. Maintaining a healthy mouth is beneficial not only for dental health, but for your overall wellbeing. Research indicates that having gum disease increases your risk of other health problems, such as heart disease, premature birth and diabetes. The good news is with proper dental hygiene gum disease is preventable. If you already have periodontal disease, treatment is also available.

 

Dr. Geetika Chawla BDS and her staff at Radiance Dental provide dental hygiene services in order to help you maintain your periodontal health. Regular dental hygiene, such as professional cleanings, play a key role in preventing gum disease. Regardless of how diligent you are, plaque and tartar cannot be entirely removed through flossing and brushing alone.

 

Professional dental hygiene services include evaluating your dental health and determining the best treatment plan in order to prevent or treat periodontal disease. We utilize a variety of methods and procedures based on your individual situation. For example, we offer Arestin, scaling, root planing and gum grafting.

 

Having regular dental checkups and professional dental hygiene services is critical for your overall health. For more information on dental hygiene services or in order to schedule an appointment, please call Radiance Dental at 360-369-6420.